SEASON OUTLOOK: Glenwood lost a lot in Falter, the 2010 CS8 Volleyball Player of the Year. That's the bad news. The good news is that Falter was the only senior on last year's roster. The hope is that the Titans can replace that production with the mountain of talent they have coming back. Elmore and Copp should provide balance on the outside, and Lanser has made big strides over the summer as well.

COACH'S COMMENT: "We're not trying to fill six spots or five spots. It works in our favor losing only one person. It's basically the same people, we're just moving them around for the better. The makeup of the team isn't changing that much. It's going to help us out more than burden us when it comes to success in conference this year."

SEASON OUTLOOK: Jacksonville finished one win shy of its fifth state tournament appearance in school history last year. The Crimsons lost plenty from that team, but it's not as though the roster is devoid of talent. Keene's role will increase this season, and she's just one in a deep stable of hitters. Jacksonville should also be able to defend their half of the court, a trait that will come in handy during the postseason.

COACH'S COMMENT: "Our defense ought to be really good. We've got so many defensive specialists, I'll be able to mix and match. I've seen them all summer, and we've been really inconsistent. We'll have to work harder, obviously, but the energy is there and the kids want it. We're going to make a run deep into the postseason, I believe. I don't want to go out on a limb and say we'll make it to state, but they might surprise me."

SEASON OUTLOOK: Wible takes over a program that has won just three matches in the past two seasons. He enjoys the challenge of turning volleyball programs around, and the good news for both him and the Lions is that the program has nowhere to go but up. The roster has plenty of experience returning, and Wible thinks there is enough talent there to win 10-12 matches.

COACH'S COMMENT: "It's not a lack of talent. It's a lack of experience playing the game the right way. I just think people are going to see a team on the court that will compete every night and will be a tough team to beat. They're really busting their tail in the gym. It may be the most pleasant month or two I've had coaching. I think if we were .500, it would be an extremely good season for us. We've set a goal where we'd like to win 10 to 12 games, and everything over that is kind of gravy."

SEASON OUTLOOK: Lincoln brings back a boatload of talent from last year's successful team. But one issue will be how the offense functions without Anderson, who led the conference with 418 kills last season. Olden, who has verbally committed to Murray State, is one great option, but she might not be asked to shoulder so much of the offensive workload. The newcomers should provide some versatility as well. Goodey is a 6-foot middle blocker who can enhance Lincoln's defense, and Leah Anderson, Emma's younger sister, can play anywhere on the floor.

COACH'S COMMENT: "The girls look really good. At the very end of July, we got back from a tournament in the Ozarks, and we took first place in that. We've got a lot of talent continuing in. Emma was huge, and I'll miss her just as a person because we developed a good friendship. But we've got some kids who can step up and play. I can see us going far as long as we stay mentally focused."

SEASON OUTLOOK: Mary Ryan comes to Rochester from North Mac. She inherits a team whose strength figures to be the talent and numbers of its underclassmen. She wasn't hired until June, so both she and the Rockets got off to a bit of a late start this season. But she is confident the team can find its footing sooner rather than later.

COACH'S COMMENT: "I'll be looking at a lot of the underclassmen to step up early on to get experience to build a program. I would classify this year probably as a building year just for that reason. Gabbi is a really good leader. She's loud on the court and dependable. Stephanie played for Illini Elite, and Rachel is excellent on defense. I had only 14 days this summer, but a summer program is important for a successful season and I plan next year on using all 25 days."

SEASON OUTLOOK: The SHG roster will get an infusion of talent from Christ the King School, which won the eighth-grade Class 2A state title last year. The Cyclones do have some height, which, in theory, will make it easier for them to put the ball down. But Sams also expects her team to keep the ball alive more.

COACH'S COMMENT: "With all of my defensive specialists, I expect good defense and serve-receive, and that's our mantra this year. We have some height I haven't had in the past, but I believe it all starts with serve-receive and defense. The girls worked really hard this summer. I'm proud of them for going from where they started to where they finished. If you ask any of the girls, we all want to win. Hunger and desire will push you a long way, and when push comes to shove, the girls are binding together and getting together on and off the court. We have the right ingredients to make this our best season yet.

SEASON OUTLOOK: Southeast is a fairly young team that should benefit from having lost only one senior to graduation. Wilson, at 6-foot-1, should be an intimidating presence in the middle. Hayes also should be poised for another solid season. Southeast, like Lanphier, is a program looking to find traction and gain some forward momentum.

COACH'S COMMENT: "We have a very young team, but they are growing every single year, and I see some talent. I expect to see a lot more than what we did last year. Shauniera is a sophomore, and Megan is a strong setter. They've really grown from their freshman to sophomore year. Halle Devoe has also grown quite a bit as a hitter. We hope to be more than .500, and I think that it could happen. They're becoming more of a team and they're showing more teamwork than I've seen."

SEASON OUTLOOK: The Senators lost six seniors, all of whom played and most of whom started. Normally that might be cause for concern, but Withers is confident her team can stay the course with the talent that returns. Range, McKinney, Fetter and Pence will be called upon to fill the sizeable void left by Korza, who was an offensive juggernaut for the past two seasons.

COACH'S COMMENT: "I think our offense will be more even as opposed to setting one person this time. Our offense should be faster this year, hopefully. I think we're defensively better than we've been in the past. Teams described us as scrappy this summer, and nobody described us as scrappy in years past. We're just trying to build experiences as a team and become stronger and faster and be as cohesive as possible by the season."

SEASON OUTLOOK: Taylorville got hot at the right time last season and won the program's first regional title since 1997. Rice has the luxury of returning plenty of talent from that team. There also will be plenty of talent to choose from in the overall program. The numbers got so big this year that Taylorville had to cut players for the first time in school history.

COACH'S COMMENT: "(Cutting players) breaks my heart. It was never the end result I was looking for. But the thing we really have to take a look at is we've got seven potential returning seniors, at least that many juniors and several sophomores ready to play varsity. We have to take a look at those positions. It's a good problem to have, and I have to say my kids have been really dedicated. They've been to leagues and camps. Some of them went to a team camp on their own. I couldn't ask for a more dedicated group of girls."

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